The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the smell.
Flowers. Not one particular flower.
It was the scent of an entire garden after rain—sweet, fresh, and strangely familiar. It was overwhelming. I frowned and tried to move. A dull ache immediately spread through my head.
"Slowly"
Hades.
I turned my head. He was sitting beside the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together. He looked exhausted.
His hair was slightly disheveled, and the usual sharpness in his expression had been replaced by something I couldn't decipher. I noticed a small bowl of water and cloth by his side.
"Don't move too quickly." his voice was rough.
"What happened?"
"You fainted." I blinked.
"I—" he placed the cloth against my forehead.
"You collapsed in the courtyard." I stared at him.
"Why?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out."
Something in his tone made my stomach tighten. I pushed myself up slowly.
